Vibrator mechanism



March 1, 1955 H. w. FAEBER VIBRATOR MECHANISM 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 FiledNOV. 15, 1950 INVENTOR. HA /6P) fl 54:50?

' ATTORNEYS March 1, 1955 H. w. FAEBER VIBRATOR MECHANISM I5Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed NOV. 15. 1950 IN VEN TOR. fl/mey M/ 64555? BYWJZWEQ M Arm/Wm;

United States Patent VIBRATOR MECHANISM Harry W. Faeber, Larchmont, N.Y., assignor to Time, Incorporated, New York, N. Y., a corporation ofNew York Application November 15, 1950, Serial No. 195,883

Claims. (Cl. 101-348) The present invention relates to a vibratormechanism for imparting an axial reciprocating movement to one or morecylinders mounted for rotation in the frame of a machine fordistributing one or more films of coating material such as ink or thelike.

The mechanism of the present invention includes a vibrator bar mountedin a frame member for endwise reciprocating movement longitudinallyrelative to the frame member and transversely relative to the axes ofthe distributing cylinders mounted for rotation in the frame. Means areprovided for reciprocating the vibrator bar, and the cndwisereciprocating movement thereof is transmitted by suitable cam meanslinking the vibrator bar and at least one of the distributing cylinders,to impart an axial reciprocating movement to the cylinder or cylinders.

It is preferred to substantially completely conceal the operatingmechanism within the longitudinal frame member. This feature makes themechanism adaptable for a fully enclosed ink carriage in a printingmachine because there are no protruding parts that require covering. Themechanism is adaptable for use with any number of cylinders and isreadily capable of imparting reciprocating movements in oppositedirections and, if desired, of different amplitudes, to adjacentcylinders.

In one preferred embodiment of the invention a reciprocating cylinder isjournaled for rotation only in a slidable support which in turn ismounted for reciprocation only in a frame member. The slidable supportis provided with a diagonal groove engaged by a cam roller carried onthe vibrator bar.

In another preferred embodiment a reciprocatnig cylinder is mounted forrotation and axial reciprocation in a frame member. An axialreciprocating motion is imparted to the cylinder by means of a cam plateprovided with a diagonal groove that is in engagement with a cam rollercarried on the vibrator bar.

The diagonal grooves in the slidable supports or cam plates forsuccessive cylinders may be, and preferably are, so positioned as toimpart progressively smaller amplitudes of axial reciprocation to thesuccessive cylinders.

The advantages and utility of the mechanism of this invention willbecome more apparent from the following description made with referenceto the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Figure 1 is a cross sectional view in elevation through one preferredembodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 is a cross sectional view in elevation taken along section line2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a cross sectional plan view taken along section line 3-3 ofFigure l; and

Figure 4 is a schematic plan view illustrating, by way of example, astructure for imparting progressively decreasing amplitudes of axialvibration to successive cylinders in a series;

Figure 5 is a schematic view in elevation taken along section line 55 ofFigure 4;

Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view in elevation through anotherpreferred embodiment of the invention;

Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view in elevation taken along section line77 of Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a cross-sectional plan view taken along section line 8-8 ofFigure 6;

Figures 9 and 10 are views similar to Figure 7 showing alternate meansfor imparting vibrating motion to a cylinder; and

opposite directions.

ice

Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along section line 11-11 ofFigure 10.

It is to be understood that the mechanism of the invention will bedescribed only with reference to one side of a typical machine whereinit is desired to impart reciprocating movements in opposite directons toadjacent cylinders in a series of cylinders for the purpose of effectinga uniform distribution of ink over the last of such a series ofcylinders. The other side of the machine may simplyhave journals capableof supporting the rollers for both rotation and axial movement.

Referring now to Figures 1 to 3, a longitudinal frame member 10 isprovided with an elongated groove 11 in its upper surface for receivinga vibrator bar 12. The vibrator bar 12 is connected to an eccentric 14by means of an eccentric follower 16, a connecting rod 17, a bell crank19 and a pin 20, a slot 21 being provided in the frame member 10 topermit lateral movement of the pin 20.

A cap 22 is provided to cover the top of the frame member 10 and concealthe vibrator bar 12. The cap is provided with cutout portions 24 forreceiving slidable support members 26 each of which, as shown best inFigure 2, supports a bearing 27 for rotatably supporting a cylinder 29with its axis above the level of the vibrator bar 12. The under surfaceof the bar member 26 adjacent the upper surface of the vibrator bar 12is provided with a diagonal groove 30 as shown best in Figure 3. Thisgroove receives, and the sides thereof engage, with a cam roller 31mounted on a pin 32 secured in the vibrator bar 12 by a nut 34. Gearmeans 35, not forming part of this invention, are provided to adjust theposition of the cylinder 29.

Another cylinder 36 is mounted for rotation with its axis below thelevel of the vibrator bar 12. The shaft 37 of the cylinder 36 issupported for rotation in a slidable sleeve member 39. The sleeve member39 is mounted for endwise reciprocation in, the frame member 10 and issecured against rotation by a key 40. The upper portion of the sleevemember 39 is provided with a diagonal groove 41, as shown best in Figure3, for the reception of, and engagement with, a cam roller 31aprotruding from the under surface of the vibrator bar 12 and mounted ona pin 32 secured by nut 34.

As shown in Figure 3, the angle of the groove 41 relative to thevibrator bar 12 and the longitudinal frame member 10 is equal andopposite to that of groove 30. A collar 42 fixed to the shaft 37 of thecylinder 36 by a set screw 44 or the like is provided, if desired, ateach end of the sleeve 39 so that any reciprocating movement imparted tothe sleeve member will be transmitted to the cylinder.

In Operation, the cylinders 29 and 36 are rotated and the shaft of theeccentric 14 is rotated by any suitable means not forming part of thisinvention. The rotation of the eccentric 14 imparts a rocking motion tothe bell crank 19 which, by virtue of its pin connection 20, imparts anendwise reciprocating movement to the vibrator bar 12 lying in thegroove 11 of the longitudinal frame member 10. The cam rollers 31 and31a, moving with the vibrator bar 12, bear against the sides of thegrooves 30 and 41, respectively, and thus impart to the slidablesupports 26 and 39 reciprocating movements in directions transverse tothe longitudinal frame member 10 and the vibrator bar 12 lying therein.When the angularity of diagonal grooves in adjacent cylinder supports isopposite, as shown particularly in Figure 3, adjacent cylinders will becaused to reciprocate axially and in The cap 22 for the frame member 10not only conceals the vibrator bar and the cam means linking thevibrator bar to the slidable supports but also provides suitable guidemeans for guiding the slidable support members 26. If it is desired toadjust the length of the strokes of the cylinders 29 and 36, suchadjustment may be effected by changing the eccentricity of the eccentric14.

The embodiment illustrated schematically and by way of example inFigures 4 and 5 consists essentially of .a means for impartingprogressively smaller amplitudes of axial vibration to a series ofdistributor cylinders 36a,

29a, 36b, 29b and 360.

The vibrating mechanism, which includes an eccentric 14a, a connectingrod 17a, a bell crank 19a, a vibrator. bar 12 carrying cam rollers 31,

and a slidable support for each of the distributor cylinders, isessentially similar to the construction described with reference toFigures 1 to 3.

As best shown in Figure 4, however, the angularity of the grooves in theslidable cylinder supports to the direction of movement of the vibratorbar 12 diminishes in each successive support. Thus, the groove 41a inthe sleeve member 39a'supporting the distributor cylinder 36a is at agreater angle to the line of motion of the vibrator bar 12 than thegroove 30a in the bar member 26a for supporting the next cylinder 29a inthe series of cylinders. The angularity of grooves 41b, 30b and 410 withthe direction of motion of the vibrator bar 12 likelength of stroke ofeach cam roller 31 within the various grooves is the same, the amplitudeof the axial vibration imparted to the various supports, and thereforeto the cylinders they support, is greatest at the maximum angularity ofthe groove with the line of motion of the vibrator bar 12 and leastwhere this angularity is at a minimum.

The advantage of this arrangement will become apparent particularly whenit is applied to a multi-color ink printing system. Thus, as shown inFigure 4, a fountain 46 may be divided by a partition 47 into acompartment 49 for blue ink and a compartment 50 for red ink and asingle fountain roll 51 and ductor roll 52 can be used with miximumefficiency. The amplitudes of the various distributor cylinders areshown schematically by lines in phantom, the amplitude of vibration ofthe first distributor cylinder 36a being designated A1 and the amplitudeof vibration of the last distributor cylinder 36c being designated A2.The relatively large strokes of the first two distributor cylinders 36aand 29a in opposite directions promote good crosswise distribution andcutting up of the inks while they are still in the heavy and tackystate. As the inks are fed forward over the series of cylinders, theinks become more uniformly distributed and the films become thinner. Aminimum of vibration is therefore necessary in the last distributorcylinder 360 from whence the inks are transferred to form rolls 54. Aminimum of axial vibration in the last distributor cylinder is highlydesirable because it permits very close printing of separated colors, asillustrated by the series ofdotted lines 56 and 57, and reduces thedanger of interbleeding.

Figures 6 to 11 illustrate by way of example an embodiment wherein thereciprocating cylinders are mounted for both rotation and reciprocationin a frame member. A longitudinal frame member 60 is provided with anelongated groove 61 in its upper surface for receiving a vibrator bar62. The vibrator bar 62 is provided with a gear rack 64 which is in meshwith a pinion 66 rocked about its axis by means of a crank 67 connectedby link 69 to an adjustable eccentric 70.

A cap 71 is provided to cover the top of the frame member 60 and toconceal the vibrator bar 62. The cap is provided with cut-out portions72 for receiving slidable cam plates 74 and with vertical guideways 76for supporting an upper course of cylinders 77. The shafts 79 of thecylinders 77 are journaled in bearings 80 slidable vertically in theguideways 76 and supported by compression springs 81. Each verticalguideway 76 is capped by a hold down member 82 pivoted at 83, maintainedin operative position by a wing nut 84 and supporting a stud 85 carryingan adjusting nut 86 engaged by an eccentric bifurcated lock 87 to urgethe bearing member 80 downwardly against the compression spring 81. Thelower course of reciprocating cylinders 88 is journaled directly in theframe member 60 for both rotation and axial reciprocation.

As shown in Figure 7 the shaft of each reciprocating cylinder isprovided with a pair of collars 89 in engagement with a roller 90mounted on the inner end of a slidable cam plate 74. As shown moreparticularly in Figure 8, each cam plate 74 is provided at the outer endwith a diagonal groove 91 that is in engagement with a cam roller 92 onthe .vibrator bar 62. It is to be understood, of course, that thediagonal grooves 91 of successive cam plates 74 may have a graduallydiminishing angle to the longitudinal axis of the vibrator bar 62, asdescribed with refgrgnce to the embodiment illustrated in Figures 4 anFigures 9, l0 and 11 illustrate alternative means of relaying thevibrating motion of the cam plates 74 to the reciprocating cylinders 77and 88. In Figure 9 the shaft of a cylinder, as shown, is provided witha disc 94 and the inner end of the cam plate 74 is provided with tworollers 90, one on each side of the disc. In Figures 10 and 11 the shaftof each cylinder is provided with a pair of collars 89 in substantiallythe same manner as illustrated in Figure 7 and a yoke 96, provided withtwo gallers 90, is mounted on the inner end of the cam plate Inoperation the length of the stroke of the vibrator bar 62 is determinedby adjustment of the adjustable eccentric 70. The reciprocating motionof the vibrator bar 62 transmits appropriate reciprocation, in adirection transverse to that of the vibrator bar, to the various camplates 74 by virtue of engagement of the cam rollers 92 in the diagonalgrooves 91. The roller or rollers mounted on the inner end of each camplate 74 bear against the collars 89 or the disc 94 to transmit or relaythe motion of the cam plate 74 to the cylinder 77 or 88.

The vertical positions of the cylinder 77 are adjusted by adjustment ofthe nuts 86 on the stud 85. Movement of the handles of the eccentriclocks 87 in a counter-clockwise direction, as seen in Figure 6, willoperate to quickly relieve the contact between the upper and lowercourses of cylinders. Disengagement of wing nuts 84 and pivoting of holddown members 82 about pivots 83 permits easy removal and replacement ofthe upper course of cylinders.

It is to be understood that many changes and modifications willimmediately occur to those skilled in the art upon reading thisdescription. All such changes and modifications are intended to beincluded within the scope of this invention as defined in theaccompanying claims.

I claim:

1. In a machine for distributing a film of coating material over aseries of rotating cylinders and transferring said film from the firstto the last cylinder in the series, said machine including a horizontalside frame member; a series of rotatable cylinders having mutuallyparallel axes of rotation at right angles to the side frame member, theaxes of rotation of successive cylinders in the series lying alternatelyin planes vertically offset from one another; and journals supported bythe side frame member for supporting the cylinders for rotation and formovement transversely of the side frame member; 21 vibrator mechanismfor imparting opposite axial reciprocating movements to adjacentcylinders in said series of cylinders, which comprises an elongated,horizontal vibrator bar concealed in the side frame member and mountedtherein for endwise reciprocation, means for reciprocating the vibratorbar, and cam means operatively connecting the vibrator bar and thecylinders for translating endwise reciprocation of the vibrator bar intoopposite axial reciprocation of adjacent cylinders in said series ofcylinders.

2. The mechanism defined in claim I wherein the vibrator bar carries camrollers and the cam means are slidable transversely of the side framemember and are each provided with a diagonal groove in engagement with acam roller.

3. The mechanism defined in claim 1 wherein the journals are mounted onthe frame for reciprocation in a direction transverse to the endwisereciprocating movement of the vibrator bar and the cam means operativelyconnect the vibrator bar and the journals.

4. The mechanism defined in claim 1 wherein the journals are fixed tothe frame for supporting the cylinders for rotation and axialreciprocation therein.

5. In a machine for distributing a film of coating material over aseries of rotating cylinders that includes a horizontal side framemember; a series of rotatable cylinders having mutually parallel axes ofrotation at right angles to the side frame member. the axes of rotationof the cylinders in the series lying alternately in planes verticallyoffset from one another; and journals supported by the side frame memberfor supporting the cylinders for rotation and for movement transverselyof the side frame members; a vibrator mechanism for imparting oppositeaxial reciprocating movements to adjacent cylinders in said series ofcylinders, which comprises an elongated, horizontal vibrator barconcealed in the side frame member, mounted therein for endwisereciprocation and carrying cam rollers, means for reciprocating thevibrator bar, and cam means operatively connecting the vibrator bar andcylinders for translating endwise reciprocation of the vibrator bar intoopposite axial reciprocation of adjacent cylinders in said series ofcylinders, the cam means being slidable transversely of the side framemember and each cam means being provided with a diagonal groove inengagement with a cam roller, the angles of the diagonal grooves of thecam means for successive cylinders in the series of cylinders to theaxis of reciprocation of the vibrator bar diminishing progressively.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

